Striking plate for a golf club head

ABSTRACT

A striking plate for a golf club head includes a striking surface, a plurality of parallel linear grooves, and a plurality of protrusions. The parallel linear grooves are formed in the striking surface and are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The protrusions are formed on the striking surface, extend between two adjacent ones of the linear grooves, and are spaced apart from each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 104119123,filed on Jun. 12, 2015.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a striking plate for a golf club head, moreparticularly to a striking plate for a golf club head having improvedstriking controllability.

BACKGROUND

A conventional golf club head is primarily made from a titanium alloy ortungsten carbide due to such characteristics as light weight andstiffness of these materials. The golf club head thus made has anenhanced spring-like effect, and thus can achieve a relatively longflying distance before landing.

In addition to modifying the materials for the golf club head, it wouldalso be desirable to modify the configuration of the golf club head soas to improve striking controllability.

In order to enhance the striking controllability, a golf club head 1 asshown in FIG. 1 has been produced. The golf club head 1 includes astriking plate 11 formed with a plurality of linear grooves 111 spacedapart from each other.

Friction between the striking plate 11 and a golf ball may be enhancedby the linear grooves 111 so that the residence time of the golf ball onthe striking plate 11 is increased. Therefore, the stricken golf ballproduces a back spin so that the rolling distance of the golf ball afterlanding may be reduced and that the striking controllability and thehitting distance of the golf club head may be enhanced.

There is still a need in the art to further enhance the strikingcontrollability and hitting distance of a golf club head.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a striking platefor a golf club head, which can enhance striking controllability.

A striking plate for a golf club head having a toe-to-heel directionaccording to the disclosure includes a striking surface, a plurality ofparallel linear grooves, and a plurality of protrusions.

The plurality of parallel linear grooves are formed in the strikingsurface in a first direction extending in the toe-to-heel direction andare spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of thelinear grooves includes two rounded edges spaced apart from each otherin the second direction. Each of the rounded edges adjoins acorresponding portion of the striking surface and has a tangent pointfor a tangent line passing therethrough to cooperate with thecorresponding portion of the striking surface to define an angle of 30°.

The plurality of protrusions are formed on the striking surface, extendin the first direction between two adjacent ones of the linear grooves,and are spaced apart from each other in the second direction.

Letting N be a number of the protrusions between the two adjacent onesof the linear grooves, S be a minimum distance between the tangent pointof one of the rounded edges of one of the two adjacent ones of thelinear grooves and the tangent point of one of the rounded edges of theother of the two adjacent ones of the linear grooves, H be a height ofeach of the protrusions relative to the striking surface, D₁, D₂ . . .D_(N) be respective widths of the protrusions between the two adjacentones of the linear grooves, D_(max) be a maximum of D₁, D₂ . . . D_(N),each of V₁, V₂ . . . V_(N-2) be a gap between two adjacent ones of theprotrusions between the two adjacent ones of the linear grooves, V_(min)be a minimum of V₁, V₂ . . . V_(N-1), Ra be a centerline averageroughness of a portion of the striking surface between the two adjacentones of the linear grooves, T1 be a minimum distance between the tangentpoint of one of the rounded edges of one of the two adjacent ones of thelinear grooves and one of the protrusions which is proximate to thetangent point of the one of the rounded edges of the one of the twoadjacent ones of the linear grooves, and T2 be a minimum distancebetween the tangent point of one of the rounded edges of the other ofthe two adjacent ones of the linear grooves and one of the protrusionswhich is proximate to the tangent point of the one of the rounded edgesof the other of the two adjacent ones of the linear grooves,

1.905 mm≦S≦3 mm,

0.004 mm≦H≦0.044 mm,

D _(max) ≦V _(min),

${Ra} = {\frac{\begin{matrix}{{\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3} + \ldots + D_{N}} \right) \times \left( {H - h} \right)} +} \\{\left( {V_{1} + V_{2} + V_{3} + \ldots + V_{N - 1} + {T\; 1} + {T\; 2}} \right) \times h}\end{matrix}}{S} = \frac{A}{S}}$

(i.e., A=(D₁+D₂+D₃+ . . . +D_(N))×(H−h)+(V₁+V₂+V₃+ . . .V_(N-1)+T1+T2)×h),wherein

${h = \frac{\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3} + \ldots + D_{N}} \right) \times H}{S}},$

and

A≦0.004572 mm×S.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent inthe following detailed description of the embodiments with reference tothe accompanying drawing, of which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional golf club head;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a first embodiment of a striking plate for agolf club head according to the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is another partially enlarged sectional view of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a second embodiment of a strikingplate for a golf club head according to the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a third embodiment of a strikingplate for a golf club head according to the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of a third embodiment of a strikingplate for a golf club head according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be notedthat like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughoutthe disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first embodiment of a striking plate 2for a golf club head 3 according to the disclosure is shown to include astriking surface 21, a plurality of parallel linear grooves 22, and aplurality of protrusions 23. The golf club head 3 has a toe-to-heeldirection.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the parallel linear grooves 22 are formed inthe striking surface 21 in a first direction (X) extending in thetoe-to-heel direction and are spaced apart from one another by apredetermined distance in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to thefirst direction (X).

Each of the linear grooves 22 includes two rounded edges 221 spacedapart from each other in the second direction (Y). Each of the roundededges 221 adjoins a corresponding portion of the striking surface 21 andhas a tangent point 222 for a tangent line (L) passing therethrough tocooperate with the corresponding portion of the striking surface 21 todefine an angle (θ) of 30°.

The protrusions 23 are formed on the striking surface 21, extend in thefirst direction (X) between two adjacent ones of the linear grooves 22,and are spaced apart from each other in the second direction (Y). Eachof the protrusions 23 has a rectangular cross section.

In the first embodiment, there are four protrusions 23 between twoadjacent ones of the linear grooves 22. Alternatively, the number of theprotrusions 23 between two adjacent ones of the linear grooves 22 in thefirst embodiment may be less than or more than four.

Referring to FIG. 5, letting T1 be a distance between the tangent point222 of the left one of the rounded edges 221 of the right one of twoadjacent ones of the linear grooves 22 and the rightmost one of theprotrusions 23, and letting T2 be a distance between the tangent point222 of the right one of the rounded edges 221 of the left one of twoadjacent ones of the linear grooves 22 and the leftmost one of theprotrusions 23, T1=T2=0.4235. Alternatively, T1 may not be equal to T2.

Letting S be a minimum distance between the tangent point 222 of one ofthe rounded edges 221 of one of two adjacent ones of the linear grooves22 and the tangent point 222 of one of the rounded edges 221 of theother of two adjacent ones of the linear grooves 22, 1.905 mm≦S≦3 mm. Inthe first embodiment, S is equal to 2.522 mm.

Letting H be a height of each of the protrusions 23 relative to thestriking surface 21, 0.004 mm≦H≦0.044 mm. In the first embodiment, H isequal to 0.024 mm.

Letting D₁, D₂, D₃, and D₄ be respective widths of the protrusions 23between two adjacent ones of the linear grooves 22, D_(max) be a maximumof D₁, D₂, D₃, and D₄, each of V₁, V₂, and V₃ be a gap between twoadjacent ones of the protrusions 23 between two adjacent ones of thelinear grooves 22, and V_(min) be a minimum of V₁, V₂, and V₃, D_(max)is less than or equal to V_(min) (i.e., D_(max)≦V_(min)). In the firstembodiment, D₁=D₂=D₃=D₄=D_(max)=0.067 mm, and V₁=V₂=V₃=V_(min)=0.469 mm.Alternatively, D₁, D₂, D₃, and D₄ may not be equal to one another andV₁, V₂, and V₃ may not be equal to one another provided that thecondition of D₁+D₂+D₃+D₄+V₁+V₂+V₃+T1+T2=S is satisfied. In the firstembodiment, (D₁+D₂+D₃+D₄)×(H−h)=(V₁+V₂+V₃+T1+T2)×h=0.005749 mm², wherein

$h = {\frac{\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3} + \ldots + D_{N}} \right) \times H}{S} = {0.00255\mspace{14mu} {{mm}.}}}$

Letting a be an average cross-sectional area of the protrusions 23 alongthe second direction (Y) between two adjacent ones of the linear grooves22, and Ra be a centerline average roughness of a portion of thestriking surface 21 between two adjacent ones of the linear grooves 22,in the first embodiment,

${{Ra} = {\frac{\begin{matrix}{{\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3} + D_{4}} \right) \times \left( {H - h} \right)} +} \\{\left( {V_{1} + V_{2} + V_{3} + V_{4} + {T\; 1} + {T\; 2}} \right) \times h}\end{matrix}}{S} = {\frac{A}{S} = {0.004559\mspace{14mu} {mm}}}}},{a = {\frac{\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3} + D_{4}} \right) \times H}{N} = {0.001608\mspace{14mu} {mm}^{2}}}},$

and

A≦0.004572 mm×S(i.e., A≦0.011530584 mm²)

In order to demonstrate the effects of the striking plate for a golfclub head of the disclosure, the first embodiment of the disclosure wascompared with a comparative example which has a similar configurationexcept that the protrusions 23 in the first embodiment are changed togrooves having the same limitation conditions in the comparativeexample. The results are shown in the following table.

Centerline Back spin average Maximum speed roughness roughness (rpm)(mm) (mm) The first 5772 0.004013 0.023470 embodiment Comparative 49960.004293 0.023825 example

As shown in the table above, under the same limitation conditions, thefirst embodiment of the striking plate for a golf club head of thedisclosure has a relatively high back spin speed, and thus the strikingcontrollability and hitting distance can be enhanced compared to thecomparative example.

FIG. 6 illustrates the second embodiment of a striking plate 2 for agolf club head (not shown) according to the disclosure, which has aconfiguration similar to that of the first embodiment except that eachof the protrusions 23 in the second embodiment has a triangular crosssection.

FIG. 7 illustrates the third embodiment of a striking plate 2 for a golfclub head (not shown) according to the disclosure, which has aconfiguration similar to that of the first embodiment except that eachof the protrusions 23 in the third embodiment has a trapezoid crosssection.

FIG. 8 illustrates the fourth embodiment of a striking plate 2 for agolf club head (not shown) according to the disclosure, which has aconfiguration similar to that of the first embodiment except that eachof the protrusions 23 in the fourth embodiment has a semi-circular crosssection.

In view of the aforesaid, the striking plate for a golf club head of thedisclosure which is provided with the protrusions on the strikingsurface between two adjacent ones of the linear grooves and whichsatisfies the limitation conditions specified herein has a relativelyhigh back spin speed. Therefore, the striking controllability andhitting distance may be enhanced.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what areconsidered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that thisdisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intendedto cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope ofthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A striking plate for a golf club head having a toe-to-heel direction, comprising: a striking surface, a plurality of parallel linear grooves formed in said striking surface in a first direction extending in the toe-to-heel direction and spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of said linear grooves including two rounded edges spaced apart from each other in the second direction, each of said rounded edges adjoining a corresponding portion of said striking surface and having a tangent point for a tangent line passing therethrough to cooperate with said corresponding portion of said striking surface to define an angle of 30°, and a plurality of protrusions formed on said striking surface, extending in the first direction between two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, and spaced apart from each other in the second direction, wherein letting N be a number of said protrusions between said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, S be a minimum distance between said tangent point of one of said rounded edges of one of said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves and said tangent point of one of said rounded edges of the other of said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, H be a height of each of said protrusions relative to said striking surface, D₁, D₂ . . . D_(N) be respective widths of said protrusions between said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, D_(max) be a maximum of D₁, D₂ . . . D_(N), each of V₁, V₂ . . . V_(N-1) be a gap between two adjacent ones of said protrusions between said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, V_(min) be a minimum of V₁, V₂ . . . V_(N-1), Ra be a centerline average roughness of a portion of said striking surface between said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, T1 be a minimum distance between said tangent point of one of said rounded edges of one of said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves and one of said protrusions which is proximate to said tangent point of said one of said rounded edges of said one of said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, and T2 be a minimum distance between said tangent point of one of said rounded edges of the other of said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves and one of said protrusions which is proximate to said tangent point of said one of said rounded edges of the other of said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, 1.905 mm≦S≦3 mm, 0.004 mm≦H≦0.044 mm, D _(max) ≦V _(min), ${{Ra} = {\frac{\begin{matrix} {{\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3} + \ldots + D_{N}} \right) \times \left( {H - h} \right)} +} \\ {\left( {V_{1} + V_{2} + V_{3} + \ldots + V_{N - 1} + {T\; 1} + {T\; 2}} \right) \times h} \end{matrix}}{S} = \frac{A}{S}}},{wherein}$ ${h = \frac{\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3} + \ldots + D_{N}} \right) \times H}{S}},$ and A≦0.004572 mm×S.
 2. The striking plate according to claim 1, wherein N is at least
 3. 3. The striking plate according to claim 1, wherein T1 is equal to T2.
 4. The striking plate according to claim 1, wherein T1 is not equal to T2.
 5. The striking plate according to claim 1, wherein letting a be an average cross-sectional area of said protrusions along the second direction between said two adjacent ones of said linear grooves, $a = {\frac{\left( {D_{1} + D_{2} + D_{3} + \ldots + D_{N}} \right) \times H}{N}.}$ 